Nourishing your Brain with Breakfast

Healthy, well-balanced breakfasts can unleash the brainiac in your child! Nutritional studies have shown that a nutritious breakfast helps keep children focused, their energies high, and their moods balanced - all factors that promote learning.

It is important for parents to work with their children to establish a healthy approach to living. Health Canada reports that children say parents are their most important source of information and influence for healthy eating. Family eating habits, activity patterns and attitudes towards food and eating all have enormous effects on how children view nutrition and themselves.

Encourage your children to eat a healthy breakfast by setting a good example each morning. If you skip breakfast or indulge in sugary, fatty treats in the morning, it is more than likely that your kids will as well. Eating healthfully yourself will benefit both you and your kids.

Children have built-in cues such as feelings of hunger, thirst or a sense of fullness that help them to decide what and when they eat. Parents should work to establish a balance between letting their children make their own decisions and helping them make good nutritional choices.

Don't hesitate to encourage your children to eat and to enjoy eating. Eating a variety of foods from the different food groups will help your children to meet their nutrient needs. Variety will also help to stave off the boredom that comes from eating the same thing every day.

It is easy to fall into a breakfast rut. Don't let it happen. With a little pre-planning breakfast can be a snap. Stock up on cold cereals that are low in sugar. Instant, single servings of oatmeal are handy and nice treat on a cold morning. Keep some dried fruits like dried apricots, raisins or apple rings on hand to toss on top. They will satisfy a sweet tooth and add a little extra fibre.

Whole wheat breads, bagels and English muffins keep well in the freezer and are wonderful toasted and topped with an all-fruit spread. Fresh fruit is a staple for a healthy diet.

Basically keep a variety of good foods on hand. Your children can then choose what they want and you get the peace of mind that whatever they decide will be a good choice.

By starting your kids off each morning with a good breakfast, you are essentially giving them a good start on life. Good nutrition has been shown to increase children's ability to learn. It may sound cliché but a good breakfast can equal a good day. So rise and shine and make breakfast a part of your family's everyday routine